Packaging machine



Dec. 9, 1958 H. POKRAS 2,863,269

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Haze p 0%.

BY 6 m? 1958 H. POKRAS 2,863,269

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1955 IN V EN TOR. x/flea P016245 1 BY f Dec. 9, 1958 H. POKRAS 3,269

I PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1955 '3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mmvrozer.

A Ie'e-r 9068,45

Z BY urrae/va s i atented Dec. 9, 1958 PACKAGING MACHINE Harry Pokras, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Product Packaging Engineering, Culver City, Calif., a corporation of California Application August 5, 1955, Serial No. 526,743

10 Claims. (Cl. 53-180) This invention is directed to packaging machines, more particularly to packaging machines wherein ring-like objects are sealed individually in packages.

Included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a packaging machine of this class which incorporates a novel device of spacing correctly and uniformly a series of ring-like objects fed at random to the device.

Second to provide in a packaging machine of this class a ring-spacing device which may be readily adjusted to handle rings of various diameters and thickness.

Third, to provide a packaging machine wherein ringlike objects are uniformly positioned in sequence on a moving ribbon of heat-sealing material upon which is applied a second ribbon of such material, the ribbons of material passing over portions of heated drums prior to being brought together so as to be preheated to effect a tight and dependable seal.

With the above and other objects in View, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of the packaging machine;

' Fig. 2 is another fragmentary perspective view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, showing particularly the spacing pin control mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through l--4 of Fig. 1 with portions of the machine omitted and showing particularly the spacing pin and sealing drums;

Figs. 5, 6, and 7, are fragmentary, substantially diagrammatical views, showing the spacing pin and illustrating its mode of operation;

Fig. 8 is a similar diagrammatical view, showing a gauge member to prevent stacking of the ring members; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the sealing drums.

The packaging machine is mounted on a suitable base structure 1 containing the drive motor and other mechanism, not shown. Supported from the base structure 1 by means of brackets 2 is a table 3.

At one end of the table 3 is journaled a roller 4. A bottom ribbon of heat-scalable material is adapted to pass upwardly over the roller 4 and horizontally across the table 3. The bottom ribbon is supplied from a bottom supply roll, not shown, housed within the base structure 1. After passing the table 3, the bottom ribbon 5 passes over a bottom drum 6 supported on suitable bearings 7.

Supported from the base structure 1 is a frame 8 from which is suitably supported a top supply roll 9 which carries a supply of heat-scalable ribbon tape constituting the top ribbon lid. The top ribbon 10 passes from the top supply roll 9 over rollers 11 and 12 suitably supported by brackets 13 and 14 from the frame 8. The ribbon passes under the roller 12 and over a top drum 15, suitably supported by tension adjustment trunnions 16. The top drum confronts the bottom drum 6.

As will be brought out hereinafter, the top and bottom in axially directed bores formed in the drums.

ribbons are pressed together and heat-sealed by the drums 15 and 6. After leaving the drums, the top and bottom ribbons pass on to a discharge table 17 and through a conventional knife assembly 18 which severs the ribbons into individual packages. The knife assembly is operated by means, not shown, in synchronism with the drums 6 and 15.

The drums 6 and 15 are connected by intermeshing gears 19 and 20. The bottom drum is driven by a sprocket and chain means 21, shown best in Fig. 3, and by means of gears 19 and 20 drives the top drum 15. The shaft constituting a part of the top drum assembly carries a sprocket 22 which actuates a chain drive 23 to turn the top supply roll 9.

The construction so far described may be considered as conventional except as to the top and bottom drums and their placement. That is, it will be observed that the bottom drum is so located relative to the table 3 that the bottom ribbon is held in contact therewith for an interval before passing between the drums. Similarly, the top ribbon is wrapped partially about the top drum and is thus in contact with the top drum before passing between the two drums. With this arrangement, both the top and bottom ribbons may be preheated.

The drums 6 and 15 are heated by suitable electric heater cartridges 24, indicated in Fig. 4. These are set Also mounted within each drum is a thermostat 25 so that the drums may be maintained at a predetermined temperature. Electrical leads 26 and 27 extend from the ends of the drums, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Each drum 6 and 15 is provided with a pair of semicylindrical shells 28 which are removably attached to the drums by screws 29. The shells 28 are provided with a series of equally spaced pockets 30 separated by axially directed Webs 31. The axial ends of the shells are provided with rims 32 corresponding in diameter to the webs 31. The cylindrical surfaces or lands defined by the webs 31 and rims 32 are preferably, but not necessarily. knurled or serrated so as to impress or emboss a pattern into the ribbons 5 and it), thus aiding in effecting a dependable heat-seal between the ribbons. The sealing lands may occupy the entire periphery of each pocket as shown, or only three sides thereof if an open pocket is desired.

The packaging machine is intended to handle ringlike objects, for example, but no limited to, O-rings 33 which are commonly used as seal rings. The rings 33 are fed from a conventional hopper 34, preferably the vibrating type, or are fed by hand on to the bottom ribbon 5 at the end of the table 3, remote from the drums 6 and 15. The rings pass in a channel formed between confronting fences 35 overlying the bottom ribbon 5. The fences depend from plates 36 which are adjustably supported by the brackets 2 at opposite sides of the table 3. With this arrangement the'distance between the fences 35 may be adjusted to correspond with the diameter of the rings to be packaged.

It is of primary importance that the rings 33 be spaced uniformly on the bottom ribbon and to hem timed that they will occupy a position centrally of the pockets 3t? as the two ribbons are brought together and passed between the drums 6 and 15. This is accomplished by a spacing pin 37 which is disposed vertically over the table 3 and bottom ribbon 5, near the discharge end of the channel formed between the fences 35. The spacing pin 37 is supported at one end of a rocker arm 38 extending transversely with respect to the table 3 and journaled provided with a lock nut 42 so that its length may be adjusted.

Mounted on a framework 43, at right angles to the fulcrum bearing 39, is a fulcrum bearing 44 which carries a second rocker arm 45 pivoted intermediate its ends. One end of the rocker arm 45 is disposed under and engages the abutment element 41. The other end is pro vided with a depending cam follower 46 mounted on a stem 47 screw-threaded into the rocker arm and provided with a lock nut 48 so that its effective length may be adjusted.

A spring 43' extends between a bracket 50 carried by the rocker arm 45 and a pin 51 depending from the rocker arm 33. The spring 49 serves to hold the abutment element 41 and the corresponding end of the rocker arm 45 in engagement.

A spring 52 is suitably anchored to the framework 43 and connected to the rocker arm- 45 so as to urge the cam follower an toward a cam 53. The cam 53 is mounted on a shaft 54 which is an extension of the bottom drum n projecting outwardly from the bottom drum drive means 21. Movement of the cam follower 46 toward the cam 53 is limited by an adjustment screw 55 which engages a bracket 56 forming a part of the framework 43.

The cam 53 is provided with a series of relatively sharp lobes 57 equal in number to the pockets 3th in the drums.

Operation of the packaging machine is as follows:

-rings or similar ring-like members are hopper-fed or hand-fed in random sequence on to the bottom ribbon as it passes over the table 3. The spaced pin 37 normally occupies a position with its lower pointed end 211- most touching the bottom ribbon; that is, the distance between the tip of the pin 37 and the ribbon is less than the thickness of the ring member to be spaced.

Periodically, in timed relation with the movement of the bottom drum 6, the spacing pin 37 is momentarily raised just long enough to permit one side of a ring to pass thereunder so that if a ring is lying against the side of the pin, the pin raises sufficiently to allow one side of the ring to move past the pin. The pin then drops into the interior of the ring and retains the ring from further movement until the pin is again lifted. In the meantime, additional rings pile up tangentially behind the ring which is held. When the pin again is lifted, the first ring is released and the pin clears the adjacent rims of the first ring and a succeeding ring, and then drops into the.

succeeding ring so as to retain this ring.

Reference is particularly made to Figs. 5, 6, and 7, which illustrate a condition that may at times occur in which one ring partially overlies the preceding ring. In Fig. 5, a first ring A is retained by the pin, a second ring B is in contact with the ring A, and a third ring C partially overlies the ring B. In Fig. 6, the pin is raised momentarily and returned to position, dropping inside ring i3 and outside of ring C so that ring C, as shown in Fig. 7, is pushed to its normal succeeding position as ring B advances under the pin.

As shown best in Fig. 4, the rings to be packaged are spaced so as to be placed substantially central with respect to the pockets of the drums so as the drums roll the two ribbons together the ribbons are sealed longitndinally by the rims 32 and transversely between the rings 33 by the webs 31. After passing the drums, the ribbons are severed by the conventional knife assembly 18, which is operated in timed relation with the drums so that the ribbons are severed within the regions which have been heat-sealed by the webs 31.

In the event that the size and proportion of the rings are such that the spacing pin 37 cannot be depended upon to separate the rings, a gauge member 58 may be provided, as shown in Fig. 8.- The gauge member is merely a bar positioned to clear a single ring, but low enough to engage a superposed ring.

While a particular embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the construction set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A packaging machine, comprising: a pair of heated drums disposed in substantial tangency, each of said drums having a ring of recesses, each surrounded by sealing surfaces; means for rotating the drums, the recesses and sealing surfaces of said drums adapted to register as said drums are rotated; means for passing between said drums a pair of ribbons having heat-scalable surfaces, whereby said drums seal the ribbons together to form a series of sealed pockets; a table in advance of one of said drums over which one of said ribbons is adapted to pass; means for depositing at random a series of ring-like elements on the ribbon as it passes along said table; a spacing pin mounted above said table;

means for raising and lowering said pin in timed rela-' tion with rotation of said drums to cause said pin to enter each of said ring-like elements in sequence, thereby to space said elements for registry with the recesses of said drums as said elements are carried therebetween.

2, In a packaging machine: means for moving a ribbon of material in a horizontal plane; mean for depositing thereon in a random manner a series of r'ng-like elements; a spacing pin disposed above said ribbon; and means for raising and lowering said spacing pin in timed relation With movement of said ribbon to cause sad pin to enter each of said rings in sequence and dwell, thereby to restrain each ring-like element until spaced a predetermined distance from the preceding ring-like element.

3. A packaging machine, comprising: a pair of heated drums disposed on horizontal parallel axes, one drum arranged below and forward of the other, each drum having peripheral and transverse sealing surfaces defining a ring of recesses in the drum; means for driving said drums in unison whereby the sealing surfaces and recesses of said drums move into reg stry as they pass through a plane common to the axes of said drums; means for passing ribbons having heat-scalable surfaces partially around and then between said drums, whereby said ribbons are sealed together by said sealing surfaces to form a series of sealed pockets in the regions opposite said recesses; a table in advance of one of said drums over which one of said ribbons is adapted to pass; means for depositing at random a series of ring-like elements on the ribbon as it passes along said table; a spacing pin disposed above said ribbon; means for raising and lowering said spacing pin in timed relation with movement of said ribbon and said drums to cause said spacing pin to enter each of said ring-like elements and dwell, thereby to restrain each ring-like element until positioned on a portion of said ribbon destined to form a sealed pocket.

4. In a packaging machine: means for moving a ribbon of material in a horizontal plane; means for depositing thereon in a random manner a series of ring-like elements; a spacing pin disposed above said ribbon; and means for raising and lowering said spacing pin in timed relation with movement of said ribbon to cause said pin to enter each of said rings in sequence and dwell, thereby to restrain each ring-like element until spaced a predetermined distance from the preceding ring-like element; said ribbon-moving means including a drum, said ribbon with said ring-like elements spaced thereon adapted to pass over said drum, said drum having pockets adapted to register with said ring-like elements, and sealing surfaces surrounding said pockets; a second drum,

adapted to pass a second ribbon thereover, said drums being disposed to press said ribbons therebetween to seal said ribbons together in the regions of said sealing surfaces.-

5. In a packaging machine: means for moving a ribbon of material in a horizontal plane; means for depositing thereon in a random manner a series of ringlike elements; a spacing pin having a lower end normally occupying a position contiguous to said ribbon; means for periodically raising and lowering said pin for intervals suificient to pass the rims of contiguous ringlike elements, but insufficient to pass the full diameter of each ring-like element, whereby said ring-like elements are impaled and released in sequence by said spacing pin.

6. In a packaging machine: means for moving a ribbon of material in a horizontal plane; means for depositing thereon in a random manner a series of ring-like elements; a spacing pin having a lower end normally occupying a position contiguous to said ribbon; means for periodically raising and lowering said pin for intervals sufiicient to pass the rims of contiguous ring-like elements, but insut'iicient to pass the full diameter of each ringlike element, whereby said ring-like elements are impaled and released in sequence by said spacing pin; said ribbon-moving means including a drum, said ribbon with said ring-like elements spaced thereon adapted to pass over said drum, said drum having pockets adapted to register with said ring-like elements, and sealing surfaces surrounding said pockets; a second drum, adapted to pass a second ribbon thereover, said drums being disposed to press said ribbons therebetween to seal said ribbons together in the regions of said sealing surfaces.

7. In a packaging machine: means for moving a ribbon of material in a horizontal plane; means for depositing thereon in a random manner a series of ringlike elements; guide members disposed longitudinally of said ribbon and adjustable to approximately the diameter of said ring-like elements whereby said elements are disposed in a single row; a spacing pin disposed above said ribbon between said guide members; and means for raising and lowering said spacing pin in timed relation with movement of said ribbon to cause said pin to enter each of said rings in sequence and dwell, thereby to restrain each ring-like element until spaced a predetermined distance from the preceding ring-like element.

8. In a packaging machine: means for moving a ribbon of material in a horizontal plane; means for depositing thereon in a random manner a series of ring-like elements; guide members disposed longitudinally of said ribbon and adjustable to approximately the diameter of said ring-like elements whereby said elements are disposed in a single row; a spacing pin disposed between said guide members and having a lower end normally occupying a position contiguous to said ribbon; and means for periodically raising and lowering said pin for intervals sufficient to pass the rims of contiguous ringlike elements, but insufficient to pass the full diameter of each ring-like element, whereby said ring-like elements are impaled and released in sequence by said spacing pm.

9. 111 a packaging machine: means for moving a rib bon of material in a horizontal plane; means for depositing thereon in a random manner a series of ring-like elements; guide members disposed longitudinally of said ribbon and adjustable to approximately the diameter of: said ring-like elements whereby said elements are disposed in a single row; a spacing pin disposed above said ribbon between said guide members; means for raising and lowering said spacing pin in timed relation with movement of said ribbon to cause said pin to enter each of said rings in sequence and dwell, thereby to restrain cach ring-like element until spaced a predetermined distance from the preceding ring-like element; said ribbonmoving means including a drunnsaid ribbon with said ring-like elements spaced thereon adapted to pass over said drum, said drum having pockets adapted to register with said ring-like elements, and sealing surfaces surrounding said pockets; a second drum, adapted to pass a second ribbon thereover, said drums being disposed to press said ribbons therebetween to seal said ribbons to gether in the regions of said sealing surfaces.

10. In a packaging machine: means for moving a ribbon of material in a horizontal plane; means for depositing thereon in a random manner a series of ringlike elements; guide members disposed longitudinally of said ribbon and adjustable to approximately the diameter of said ring-like elements whereby said elements are disposed in a single row; a spacing pin disposed between said guide members and having a lower end normally occupying a position contiguous to said ribbon; means for periodically raising and lowering said pin for intervals sufiicient to pass the rims of contiguous ring-like elements, but insufficient to pass the full diameter of each ring-like element, whereby said ring-like elements are impaled and released in sequence by said spacing pin; said ribbon-moving means including a drum, said ribbon with said ring-like elements spaced thereon adapted to pass over said drum, said drum having pockets adapted to register with said ring-like elements, and sealing sur faces surrounding said pockets; a second drum adapted to pass a second ribbon thereover, said drums being disposed to press said ribbons therebetween to seal said ribbons together in the regions of said sealing surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,763,124 Barber June 10, 1930 2,083,618 Salfisberg June 15, 1937 2,424,103 Lobley July 15, 1947 2,608,809 Stroop Sept. 2, 1952 2,714,440 Forty Aug. 2, 1955 2,749,691 Lewis June 12, 1956 2,770,936 Clark Nov. 20, 1956 

